Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Belligerent
Country
Libya
start date
end date
Civilian Harm Status
Belligerent Assessment
Declassified Documents
Infrastructure

Incident Code

Lib2011-098

Incident date

May 27, 2011

Location

الدفنية, Al Dafniyah, Misurata, Libya

Geolocation

32.390033, 14.7988488 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

On May 27th, 2011, rocket strikes from Gaddafi forces in the Dafiniyah area of Misurata were said to have killed one reporter and six rebels, as well as injuring 25 other rebels.

Multiple sources described the reporter as Mohammad Al Ma’dani, a journalist who had documented the rebel groups.

Tawasul MC said: “25 wounded and the death of 7 of them, the media figure (Muhammad Al-Ma’dani) today at noon in the Al-Dafniyah area in Misurata.”

Two condolence posts on Facebook commemorated his death.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Mohammad Al Ma'Dani
Adult male Reporter working in Misrata killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man1 journalist)
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Gaddafi Forces
  • Suspected targets
    Libyan rebel forces, Other
  • Belligerents reported killed
    6
  • Belligerents reported injured
    25

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Photographs of Mohammad al-Ma'Dani, allegedly killed by a Gaddafi forces strike on Misurata on May 27th, 2011, recounting his journalist times (via Hussein Abdullah Al Jerani)

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention the neighbourhood of Dafiniyah (الدفنية), for which the generic coordinates are: 32.390033, 14.7988488. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

  • Reports of the incident mention the neighbourhood of Dafiniyah (الدفنية).

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

Gaddafi Forces Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Gaddafi Forces
  • Gaddafi Forces position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man1 journalist)
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Gaddafi Forces
  • Suspected targets
    Libyan rebel forces, Other
  • Belligerents reported killed
    6
  • Belligerents reported injured
    25

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

Lib2011-140

Incident date

August 10, 2011

Location

مصراتة, Misrata, Libya

Geolocation

32.374457, 15.087794 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

On August 10th, 2011, Gaddafi forces reportedly fired between four to eight rockets at Misurata. A single source claims three had arrived in the hospital during the bombings, and an another source mentions injuries without providing a number. It was unclear how many of those who arrived at the hospital were injured, killed, as well as their combatant status.

An Al Somood Facebook post shows blood being take from an injured man in a hospital, and a brief interview with a doctor, showing two people injured, reportedly due to the Gaddafi strikes.

A misratapost tweet mentions “8 Grad rockets fell on the eastern region of Misurata, believed to have come from Tawergha.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 3
  • Civilians reported injured
    0–3
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Gaddafi Forces
  • Suspected target
    Libyan rebel forces
  • Belligerents reported killed
    0–3
  • Belligerents reported injured
    0–3

Sources (7) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the city of Misrata (مصراتة), for which the generic coordinates are: 32.374457, 15.087794. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Gaddafi Forces Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Gaddafi Forces
  • Gaddafi Forces position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 3
  • Civilians reported injured
    0–3
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Gaddafi Forces
  • Suspected target
    Libyan rebel forces
  • Belligerents reported killed
    0–3
  • Belligerents reported injured
    0–3

Sources (7) [ collapse]

Incident Code

Lib2011-066

Incident date

April 11, 2011

Location

مصراتة, Misurata, Libya

Geolocation

32.374457, 15.087794 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

On April 11th, 2011, three members of the Swaib family were killed, with three other member injured by Gaddafi forces in Misurata. A Facebook post from the page “Libya Only” reported the casualties on April 24th. A young child and his parents were injured, with another four year old child reported dead alongside two male adults.

Libya only reports ” he was injured when he was with his family near the island of Duran Karazaz (Muhammad Jamal Muhammad Swaib), where his grandfather (Muhammad Swaib, who was 63 years old) and his uncle (Hamza Muhammad Swaib, who was 22 years old) were martyred. And his cousin (Aisha Misbah Sweib, who was 4 years old!), And both his father and mother were injured.”

HRW and another page called “Martyrs List” confirmed the casualties.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (4)

Child male injured
63 years old male killed
22 years old male killed
4 years old male killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Ground operation
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the city of Misurata (مصراتة), for which the generic coordinates are: 32.374457, 15.087794. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Ground operation
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

Lib2011-175

Incident date

September 22, 2011

Location

سرت, Sirte, Libya

Geolocation

31.20892, 16.58866 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

At lease one female civilian was injured in Sirte when she was struck by a stray bullet in her home on September 22, 2011 according to a tweet from @libyaalahrartv.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Ground operation
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Cause of injury / death
    Small arms and light weapons
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the city of Sirte (سرت‎), for which the generic coordinates are: 31.20892, 16.58866. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Ground operation
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Cause of injury / death
    Small arms and light weapons
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LC129

Incident date

April 28, 2019

Location

الكايخ, Al Kheikh, Tripoli, Libya

Geolocation

32.686667, 13.152500 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Several civilians were allegedly injured by a GNA airstrike on Qasr Bin Gashir.

Riyadh Burshan posted images of an injured child and said: “The house of Abdul Karim Munir Qarifa was exposed to shrapnel as a result of the aerial bombardment of Qasr Bin Gashir, with human damages and injuries to family members.”

Tripoli Operations Room wrote: “The house of Abdul Karim Munir Qarifa was hit by shrapnel from airstrikes. There are human damages to the family and we ask God for safety.”

Oil Crescent News later published a video piece claiming between two and three civilians were injured in the strike.

Other sources only mentioned airstrikes but no civilian harm.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–5
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Government of National Accord

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • Pictures of one victim and the aftermath
  • More pictures from the incident

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention the neighbourhood of Al Kheikh (الكايخ), for which the generic coordinates are: 32.686667, 13.1525. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

  • Reports of the incident mention the neighbourhood of Al Kheikh (الكايخ).

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

Government of National Accord Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Government of National Accord
  • Government of National Accord position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–5
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Government of National Accord

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LC207

Incident date

October 2, 2019

Location

المقر الرئيسي للشركة العامة للكهربا, Vicinity of General Electricity Company, Tripoli, Libya

Geolocation

32.824756, 13.129699 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Nearby landmark level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One civilian was allegedly injured in the Jabas gate area in Janzur by an LNA shelling.

The rival GNA Burkan Al Ghadab operation reported: “Continuing the criminal record of the militias of the war criminal Hifter in targeting residential neighborhoods and infrastructure with indiscriminate shells: a shell landed on the traffic center (Markaz Al Mourour) opposite the electricity company in Bawabat Al Jabbas and an injured civilian was taken to hospital for treatment.”

Tk Yahrouq Kl shy and Libya Alahrar TV published similar reports.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Libyan National Army

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • Damaged building after airstrike on Janzur on October 2nd, 2019 (via Burkan Al Ghadab)
  • Remnants of ordnance after airstrike on Janzur on October 2nd, 2019 (via Burkan Al Ghadab)
  • Remnants of ordnance after airstrike on Janzur on October 2nd, 2019 (via Burkan Al Ghadab)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the area opposite the General Electricity Company of Libya HQ (المقر الرئيسي للشركة العامة للكهربا), in the vicinity of Jabas Gate (بوابة الجبس). Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further. The generic coordinates for the General Electricity Company are: 32.824756, 13.129699.

Libyan National Army Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Libyan National Army
  • Libyan National Army position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Libyan National Army

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LC233

Incident date

October 31, 2019

Location

الطويشة, Altwaisha, Tripoli, Libya

Geolocation

32.688716, 13.173889 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Up to five civilians were reportedly killed by LNA shelling on Qasr Bin Gashir.

Libya Alahrar TV and Am Malik reported three civilians deaths.

Akhbar Libya reported: “Five members of one family were killed in a bombing in Qasr Bin Gashir.

Bombing on the road killed five people from the same family, the municipal council said on Thursday.

The Council condemned the bombing of the family of Abdul Hakim al-Lafi on Wednesday, which killed the mother and her four children, ‘Aya, Qais, Yassin and Taha.'”

Almanara reported: “Spokesman for the Ambulance and Emergency Service Osama Ali confirms to Al-Raed, the death toll in Altwaisha has risen to 5 civilians: a woman, a child and 3 men.”

Most sources accused the LNA of conducting the shelling.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (4)

Aya
Child female killed
Qais
Child male killed
Yassin
Child male killed
Taha
Child male killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 5
  • (1–4 children1 woman0–3 men)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Libyan National Army

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention the neighbourhood of Altwaisha (الطويشة), for which the generic coordinates are: 32.639449, 13.111109. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

  • Reports of the incident mention the neighbourhood of Altwaisha (الطويشة).

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

Libyan National Army Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Libyan National Army
  • Libyan National Army position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 5
  • (1–4 children1 woman0–3 men)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Libyan National Army

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LC264

Incident date

December 29, 2019

Location

شرفة الملاحة, Shurfat Al Malaha, Tripoli, Libya

Geolocation

32.885089, 13.285718 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Airstrikes by the LNA and/or UAE on the Shurfat Al Malaha residential area, in the vicinity of Tripoli’s Mitiga Airport, reportedly killed an elderly woman and injured several more civilians including a child.

Libya al Ahrar named the elderly victim as Al-Haja Zahra Al-Tamtam. Burkan al Ghadab said that two persons “from the expatriate labor force” were also injured.

However pro-Haftar media reported only that a centre for GNA mercenaries was targeted.

Al Mashad Libya News reported that the LNA “carried out two strikes on military targets belonging to the Al-Wefaq forces at Mitiqa base. The sources did not provide more details about the targeted sites. Meanwhile, local and media sources indicated that a woman was killed and others [civilians] were injured as a result of the aerial bombardment.”

The Libya Observer also noted that “An old woman was killed in an airstrike by warlord Khalifa Haftar’s UAE-backed air force militia on Shurfat Al-Milaha residential area near Mitiga Airport in #Tripoli.” It published an image showing destruction at the scene.

The Observer also published images of a young boy receiving medical attention, who it said had been injured in the attack.

The incident occured during the day.

The victims were named as:

Al-Haja Zahra Al-Tamtam
Adult female Elderly killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    3
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attackers
    Libyan National Army, United Arab Emirates Military
  • Suspected target
    GNA

Sources (12) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (44) [ collapse]

  • Destruction at Shurfat Al-Milaha, Tripoli, following a likely LNA strike which killed an elderly woman and injured several civilians (via Libya Observer)
  • 'A man in tears kneels beside the body of his mother who was killed in an airstrike by warlord Khalifa Haftar’s UAE-backed air force militia on Shurfat Al-Milaha residential area near Mitiga Airport in #Tripoli on Sunday.' (via Libya Observer)
  • A young boy injured in a reported LNA strike on Tripoli on December 29th 2019 receieves medical attention (via Libya Observer)
  • A young boy injured in a reported LNA strike on Tripoli on December 29th 2019 receieves medical attention (via Libya Observer)
  • Destruction at Sharfat Al Malaha, Tripoli following a deadly LNA strike on December 29th 2019 (via Libya al Ahrar)
  • Destruction at Sharfat Al Malaha, Tripoli following a deadly LNA strike on December 29th 2019 (via Libya al Ahrar)
  • Destruction at Sharfat Al Malaha, Tripoli following a deadly LNA strike on December 29th 2019 (via Libya al Ahrar)
  • Destruction at Sharfat Al Malaha, Tripoli following a deadly LNA strike on December 29th 2019 (via Libya al Ahrar)
  • A suspected deadly LNA airstrike near Mitaga Airport, Tripoli on December 29th 2019 (via Souq Al Khamis)
  • A suspected deadly LNA airstrike near Mitaga Airport, Tripoli on December 29th 2019 (via Souq Al Khamis)
  • Damage at Sharfat Al Milaha, Tripoli following suspected LNA strikes on December 29th 2019 (via Souq Al Khamis)
  • Damage at Sharfat Al Milaha, Tripoli following suspected LNA strikes on December 29th 2019 (via Souq Al Khamis)
  • Damage at Sharfat Al Milaha, Tripoli following suspected LNA strikes on December 29th 2019 (via Souq Al Khamis)
  • Damage at Sharfat Al Milaha, Tripoli following suspected LNA strikes on December 29th 2019 (via Souq Al Khamis)
  • Damage at Sharfat Al Milaha, Tripoli following suspected LNA strikes on December 29th 2019 (via Souq Al Khamis)
  • Damage at Sharfat Al Milaha, Tripoli following suspected LNA strikes on December 29th 2019 (via Souq Al Khamis)
  • 'A photo showing the bombing of an [LNA] warplane at Mitika # Tripoli Airport' (via Tk Yahrouq Kl shy)
  • Reported LNA airstrike near Mitaga Airp[ort, Tripoli on December 29th 2019 (via Burkan al Ghadaib)
  • Aftermath of airstrikes by the LNA and/ or UAE on the Shurfat Al-Milaha residential area on December 30th, 2019 (via Burkan Al Ghadan operation on Facebook).
  • Aftermath of airstrikes by the LNA and/ or UAE on the Shurfat Al-Milaha residential area on December 30th, 2019 (via Burkan Al Ghadan operation on Facebook).
  • Aftermath of airstrikes by the LNA and/ or UAE on the Shurfat Al-Milaha residential area on December 30th, 2019 (via Burkan Al Ghadan operation on Facebook).
  • Aftermath of airstrikes by the LNA and/ or UAE on the Shurfat Al-Milaha residential area on December 30th, 2019 (via Burkan Al Ghadan operation on Facebook).
  • Aftermath of airstrikes by the LNA and/ or UAE on the Shurfat Al-Milaha residential area on December 30th, 2019 (via Burkan Al Ghadan operation on Facebook).
  • Aftermath of airstrikes by the LNA and/ or UAE on the Shurfat Al-Milaha residential area on December 30th, 2019 (via Burkan Al Ghadan operation on Facebook).
  • An image of the school that was targeted with the shelling on Sarmin in Idlib on Jan 1st, 2020 (via MMC).
  • Aftermath of airstrikes by the LNA and/ or UAE on the Shurfat Al-Milaha residential area on December 30th, 2019 (via Burkan Al Ghadan operation on Facebook).
  • Aftermath of airstrikes by the LNA and/ or UAE on the Shurfat Al-Milaha residential area on December 30th, 2019 (via Burkan Al Ghadan operation on Facebook).
  • Aftermath of airstrikes by the LNA and/ or UAE on the Shurfat Al-Milaha residential area on December 30th, 2019 (via Burkan Al Ghadan operation on Facebook).
  • Aftermath of airstrikes by the LNA and/ or UAE on the Shurfat Al-Milaha residential area on December 30th, 2019 (via Burkan Al Ghadan operation on Facebook).
  • Aftermath of airstrikes by the LNA and/ or UAE on the Shurfat Al-Milaha residential area on December 30th, 2019 (via Burkan Al Ghadan operation on Facebook).
  • Aftermath of airstrikes by the LNA and/ or UAE on the Shurfat Al-Milaha residential area on December 30th, 2019 (via Burkan Al Ghadan operation on Facebook).
  • Aftermath of airstrikes by the LNA and/ or UAE on the Shurfat Al-Milaha residential area on December 30th, 2019 (via Burkan Al Ghadan operation on Facebook).
  • Aftermath of airstrikes by the LNA and/ or UAE on the Shurfat Al-Milaha residential area on December 30th, 2019 (via Burkan Al Ghadan operation on Facebook).
  • Aftermath of airstrikes by the LNA and/ or UAE on the Shurfat Al-Milaha residential area on December 30th, 2019 (via Burkan Al Ghadan operation on Facebook).
  • Aftermath of airstrikes by the LNA and/ or UAE on the Shurfat Al-Milaha residential area on December 30th, 2019 (via Burkan Al Ghadan operation on Facebook).
  • Aftermath of airstrikes by the LNA and/ or UAE on the Shurfat Al-Milaha residential area on December 30th, 2019 (via Burkan Al Ghadan operation on Facebook).

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention the neighbourhood of Shurfat Al Malaha (شرفة الملاحة),  for which the generic coordinates are: 32.885089, 13.285718. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

  • Reports of the incident mention the neighbourhood of Shurfat Al Malaha (شرفة الملاحة).

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

Libyan National Army Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Libyan National Army
  • Libyan National Army position on incident
    Not yet assessed

United Arab Emirates Military Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    United Arab Emirates Military
  • United Arab Emirates Military position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    3
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attackers
    Libyan National Army, United Arab Emirates Military
  • Suspected target
    GNA

Sources (12) [ collapse]